Ralph watches as a customer with at least 40 items lines up at his express checkout line.He decides the customer must be a real "idiot" to miss the sign that indicates Ralph's checkout line is an express line with a limit of 10 items.Ralph's attribution for the cause of the customer's behavior is consistent with
A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) drawing an illusory correlation.
C) a self-serving bias.
D) a defensive attribution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ralph's attribution for the cause of the customer's behavior is consistent with the fundamental attribution error, which is the tendency to attribute behavior to internal, dispositional factors rather than external, situational factors. In this case, Ralph assumes that the customer's behavior (ignoring the express checkout sign) is due to being an "idiot" rather than considering that the customer may have simply made a mistake or not seen the sign.

Ralph Watches as a Customer with at Least 40 Items